Abbey turned 5 in February. Mindy has taken the kindergarten decision seriously, thinking through all sides and observing her daughter on different levels.

Every mom wonders if her child is ready for the peer pressure and the new ideas, words, people and actions their child will be introduced to at school. So how do parents truly know if their little Einstein is ready for the academics of the Big K?

Texas law says a child must be at least 5 years old by Sept. 1 to be eligible for kindergarten that school year. But there are other factors to consider.

Social skills

"The child needs to be able to interact with peers for a prolonged period of time in a healthy and positive way" in order to start school, said Summer Jung, a prekindergarten teacher at Woodson Early Childhood Center who has been preparing 4-year-olds for kindergarten for seven years.

She also said children need to be able to control themselves in a conflict, and be able to get along during playtimes.

Jung understands many parents are concerned about bullying at school.

"I would encourage parents to talk to their kids about how to handle bullying situations in a helpful way. Keep an open dialogue about this, as it will eventually hit home," she said.

Jung also said a child should be able to obey a nonfamily authority figure and that "it is important that a child can accept responsibility for his actions, move on quickly, and learn from the mistake."

ABCs

Jung encourages parents to prepare their children academically at home. There are many Web sites, workbooks, and games parents and children can play together to prepare.

The reason is ...

Van Andel has been observing her daughter, Abbey, to see if the 5-year-old has the reasoning skills to make good choices, even when those around her are not.

"We have worked so hard teaching her things like good talk verses bad talk, speaking kindly, and using your manners," Van Andel said. "I wanted to make sure she had the reasoning skills to identify what is right and what is wrong."

Van Andel has also worked hard establishing a strong enough relationship with Abbey so that the girl will feel she can come to her mom and talk about things that are happening at school.

"I want her to feel good about talking to me if she is having a difficult time, or if someone is doing something to hurt her in any way," she said.

Changing lifestyles

Whenever a child begins kindergarten, life at home will never be the same. Van Andel has thought through how Abbey leaving for kindergarten will effect the entire family.

"It's sad because we won't be able to just pick up and leave to visit my parents for a week," she said.

Well into the future

While many children have the intellectual ability to keep up with their slightly older classmates, social pressures and peer pressures take on new meanings when children become adolescents.

Van Andel considered how starting Abbey in kindergarten this fall will affect her life down the road.

"It's not really about whether your child will survive kindergarten it's more about whether you want your 15-year-old making 16-year-old decisions, or your 17-year-old making 16-year-old decisions," she said.

Remembering the choices made as 16-year-olds, most parents may choose the latter and keep their children at home one more year.